Career Change & Lateral Entry

Planning industry changes, identifying transferable skills and mastering career transitions.

62 questions

Is retraining or further education worth it at 40+?

The data speaks in favour. According to ILO Skills and Lifelong Learning, training measures have a positive effect on employability across all age …

What is a transferable skills portfolio and how do I create one?

A transferable skills portfolio is an organised collection of abilities you have developed in one area that are applicable in another. Cedefop and …

Which industries are particularly open to career changers?

According to BA skills shortage analysis 2024, career changers are particularly welcome in: IT and digital economy (due to extreme skills shortage)…

What skills do I need to build for a switch to IT?

For software development you need Python or JavaScript (6-12 months of intensive learning each), a demonstrable project and ideally a bootcamp cert…

How do I apply as a career changer in IT without a degree?

It is achievable — and the market in 2026 is more open to it than ever. LinkedIn Economic Graph: 40% of IT job postings on LinkedIn no longer list …

How do I apply for apprenticeship positions in Germany as an adult?

Adult apprenticeships are possible in Germany and increasingly utilised. BA: Apprenticeships for adults can be shortened (§8 BBiG) if prior knowled…

How do I explain a career change in a job interview?

With a clear transition narrative: 1) Why are you leaving your previous industry (frame positively — moving towards, not fleeing from), 2) What com…

How do I explain a career change in a job interview?

With a clear transition narrative in three parts: (1) Why are you leaving your previous industry — frame positively as 'moving towards', not 'fleei…

How does retraining through the Federal Employment Agency work?

The BA supports retraining through Bildungsgutscheine (education vouchers) and specific programmes. Prerequisites: You must be unemployed or at ris…

How realistic is a career change at 40+?

Very realistic — with the right strategy. The German labour market is suffering from a skills shortage, and many companies are explicitly seeking e…

How realistic is a career change at 40+?

Realistic — if the labour market supports it. BA skills shortage analysis 2024 and EURES 2024 show: Germany is short of hundreds of thousands of sk…

How do I convince employers without direct industry experience?

With proof of transferable skills and demonstrated initiative. LinkedIn Economic Graph shows: Skill-based hiring is becoming more important for rec…

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